Aeroplane.



PATENTED MAY 26, 190s.

F. I. JUDSON.

AEROPLANB.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 3,1908.

5 sums-sum 1.

INVENTOR fi'fiekllrfud 5m m B M w ATTORNEYJI No. 888,618. PATENTED MAY 26, 1908.

. F. I. JUDSON. I

AEROPLANE.

APPLICATION FILED JAN.3,1908.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 2 i H 8 8% QM & MN 4 MN A. TN N I, 1 I o WITNESSES gMQYM No. 888,618. PATEN'TED MAY 26, 1908.

- F. I. JUDSON.

AEROPLANB;

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 3,1908.

- 5 SHEET BfSHEET 4.

Q N 4 N N a WITNESSES: v l/WENTOR Fred I Judsam.

3 W 16 TTORIVEYJT F. I. JUDSON.

PATENTED MAY 26, 1908.

AEROPLANB. APPLI'OATION FILED JAN.3,1908.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 5.

INVENTOR Fred I Judson.

Br I ATTORNEYJ. I Z

FRED I. JUDSON, or nousron, TEXAS.

AEROPLANE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 26, 1908.

Application filed January 3, 1908. Serial No. 409,108.

To all whom 'it may concern:

Be it known that'l', FRED I. JUDSON, residing at Houston, in the county of Harris and State of Texas, have invented a new and Improved Aeroplane, of which the following is a specification;

My invention, which relates to air ships of the aero laneor gliding type,'primarily has for its o )ject to utilize the principles of the aeroplane combined with centrifugal blowers capable of being so manipulated and con.

trolled that aerial navigation is rendered practicable and safe.

My invention, in its generic nature, comprehends an improved cooperative arrangement of glider or poiser frame, means mounted thereon for creating a partial vacuum above the said frame by drawing the air down below the frame in such manner that the frame is steadied and held to the upright position and for forcing the air in a smooth current on the under side of the glider or poiser frame, the said air controlling means acting to partially compress the air as itis drawn below the glider or poiser frame, and discharging the same so its expansive power acts on the under side of the poiser or glider sufficiently to exert the required pressure for lifting, the efficiency of the air controlling means depending on the size of said means relatively to the weight of the entire machine.

My invention also comprehends, in cennec' tion with a glider or poiser frame, means mounted thereon for creating a reduction of the air pressure above the said frame by drawing the air down and discharging it in a coin ressed state to expand under the poiser or g ider frame, supplemental air controlling means in the nature of rotary propellers located forwardly of the other air controlling means that cooperate with the said other air controlling means to effect a great advantage of operation and result by drawing in and directing rearwardly air from in front of the machine to the said other air controlling means that effect a partial vacuum above the poiser or glider frame, and cmnpressing the air and directing it so it expands under the poiser, and in a direction toward the tail end of the machine.

In its nn'irecomplete nature, my invention embodies, in connection with the glider or poiser frame, the air controlling means that effects the partial vacuum above the poiser frame, compresses the air and then discharges it to expand under the said poiser frame, and in a direction rearvardly, a series of side planes or wings controllable from the operators cage or saddle, whereby the direction up or down or level of the machine may be con veniently and positively controlled, and its still more subordinate features my invention consists in certain details of construction and novel combinations of parts, all of which will be hereinafter fully described, specifically pointed out in the appended claims, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1, is a perspective View of a preferred construction of my machine, the same being shown with a pair of propellers on the front and three sets of wing vanes or blades. Fig. 2, is a longitudinal section of the'same. Fig. 3, is a side elevation of a modified form of my invention, showing the front air disturbers or propellers'omitted, and but two sets of side blades or wings. Fig. 4, is a similar view, the blades or wings being adjusted for causing the machine to descend. Fig. 5, is a diagrammatic plan view that shows the correlative arrangement of the main or poiser frame,'the centrifugal blowers and the side wings or blades, and the propellers. Fig. 6, is a diagrammatic side elevation ofthe poiser or main frame with one set of side wings composed of three vanes or blades, their correlative position Fig. 7, is a side elevation of the form shown in Fig. 5. Fig. 8, is a diagrammatic elevation showing two sets of blowers in use. Fig. 9, is a diagram of one of the blowers and its casing. Fig. 10, is a longitudinal section taken on the line 1010 of Fig. 2.

In the practical application of my invention, Ihave provided a main or poiser frame constructed of suitable material and comprising a rigid member 1. that forms the top of a shallow casing 2, closed at the front by the downwardly and rearwardly inclined end 3, at the sides by shallow members 44 that extend some distance to the rear of the top 1, and at the bottom by the solid cross member 55.

In the preferred construction, the casing has two independent and transversely disdrums that are formed by the vertical partition members 60-60 that are bent to form a semi-circular front wall and rearwardly extended parallel side walls as diagrammatically illustrated by Fig. of the drawings, it being understood that the top and bottom po'rtions of the drums are formed by the top and bottom members of the casing proper.

Each drum has a central opening 61 that form the air intakes since the air" is drawninto the said openin s and then discharged rearwardly throu h the wide outlet mouth 62 of the drum. as in icated by the arrows on the drawings.

Within each drum is mounted a centrifugal blower 7 which has the shapbe of. the ordinary blast furnace blowers, the lades having no itch. e blower shafts 71 are journaled at their upper ends a cross brace 10 on the top member 1 and have hearings in a solid cross member 5 that forms the under side of the casing bottom.

The two blowers are driven to rotate toward each other and for such purpose their lower ends carry chain gears, around which drive chains run, and these are driven from other sprockets 72 on the drive shafts 14 of the motor mechanism, designated X suitably supported on the pendent cage or frame shown in Fi 9 and 10 for exam le, to the un er side of all of which is secure a thin canvas covering 51 and the said slats are made tapering from the inner to the outer ends, whereby the said outer ends are rendered very flexible so that the resistance of the air currents is thereby graduallfi reduced as the currents-pass backward and from beneath the covering 51 to make it easier for directing the machine in ascending.

7'5 d'es' ates a cross brace member secured to t e rear ends of the slats 50.

8 designates another cross brace, also secured to the slats 50 at about midway the cross members 75 and 8-1, and the ends of the said brace 8 are extended for supporting the side or blades hereinafter fully explained.

In the sim lest form of my invention, the wing. or side blade mechanisms may each consist of but a single member as shown in Fig. 3, but I prefer to form each set of such mechanisms of three wings or blades disposed one i above the other in horizontal planes and roj ected progressively forwardly from the ottom-t'o the to as shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

The cross race 9 that is disposed forweirdly of the centrifugal blowers alse car- I. I designate additional cross mem-- bers secured on the top 1, one of which 9 has ries a blade or wing mechanism at each end,

, arranged similarl to the mechanisms on the ends of the cross race 8. i All of the several sets of wlng mechanisms have their blades or wing members pivotally mounted on their supporting members so they can be readily tipped and so hung that the greatest portion 1sto the rear of their fulcrums, sothat when said wings are re- :leased, in the manner presentl explained,

the rear of the said planes will e tipped up .by the air pressure beneath, whereby to direct the machine downwardly, it being un- Q derstood that by raising the front ends of the win s which is done by suitable levers and cor s, also resently a ain referred to, the machine w' be directe upwardly, the mam ,body or poiser frame at all times however remaining on a level or horizontal plane.

Each one of the blade or wing mechanisms is constructed of a light fiexlble material of suitable strength, and consists of the longitudinal slats 21 that are joined at their front end to a cross piece 22, the several ,slats 21 being tapering so their rear ends .readily bend upwardly and carry the. canvas bod 23 secured to the under side of the slatted rame.

For making a firm sup ort, the several slats have bearings 24 on t e upper ends for receiving the fulcrum bars, as best shown in 2 and 5, by reference to which itwill be seen that to the cross bar 8 that extends latto another cross barlO that extends from the underside of the rearwardly extended bottom member of the main frame or casing, is

connected a pair of diagonall and forwardly inclined side bars 84 in whic are fulcrumed bars 858687 that carry the several vanes or wings, as shown.

It is understood that all of the several sets' of wings or side blade mechanisms are constructed similar to the set above disclosed and shown in Fig. 5.

For manipulating the side wing or blade mechanisms in unison, cords 23 are secured to the front ends of the up ermost ones of a set of vanes or wings an are passed onto reels 22 adjacent the seat for convenient operation of the vanes. The several vanes or win s in each set may be joined by a light rod or air so as to cause all to rock together on their fulcrums, when the front ends are raised by the o erator, or when their rear ends drop back y gravity.

12 designates a tank formed within the casing in advance of and between the front ends of the blower drums for storing the asolene for the motor engine that is carrie on the pendent or operator sustaining cage or frame.

So far as described, the manner in which 1 my aeroplane or flying machine operates and -.its advantages, is best explained as follows:

the operation of the seams .sired speed to the centrifugal blowers.

These at once c'ause an air disturbance of such character that the atmospheric pressure is changed, in such manner asto createa partial vacuum above the machine, and by reason of the increased expansive force of the atmosphere below the poiser or main frame the machine is floated with the oiser always in the horizontal plane, it rising or falling in accordance with the positioning of the vanes or wings at the side.

By reason of mounting the blowers within a shallow casing closed at the front, with drums located therein, having exits that discharge in a direction rearwardly of the machine, and having means for restricting the air that is drawn down through the to 1 so it first becomes partially compresse and then expands upwardly against the flexible and light back or slat frame, I am enabled to obtain ample means for maintaining a balance in aeroplane flight, with a lifting power limited only by the size of the machine and the character of the motor mechanism for lifting.

By arrangin' the blower drums in the easing end of the ame as shown and described, and extending the side pieces and the bottom of the casing beyond the discharge mouth of drums, an advantageous result is obtained, since the machine gets the full benefit of the expansion of the'previously partially compressed air drawn into the rums as it discharges in a rearward thrust from the drum in a laterally restricted condition against the light slattedtop frame, its final dischar e or expansion being ufpwardly against the exible end of the said rame.

It is the currents of 'air that are drawn down through the drum openings partiall compressed and allowed to ex and as tiie currents are directed rearwardfy under the slatted frame that causes the poiser frame to remain at a horizontal pblane at all times during lowers. The lateral win s, which also exert a sustaining power at t esame time areusedfor guiding the machine than upper or a lower or lateral position, as desired, since lateral movement may be provided for by properly adjusting the wings atone side or the other, or the several wings at both sides.

Various modifications of the side vanes for wings might be used for accomplishing their desired results, but I prefer to sustain the wings with their largest area or plane at the rear of their fulcrums and with the rear portions flexible, as shown and described, for yhanging the'wings, the pressure of' and the resistance of the air currents from below issuch that the pressure a ainst the vanes or Wlhgfi is. as indicated by the arrows a on Fig. t w ch causes the machine to lower, but

when pulled tothe osition shown in Fig. 8, the air pressure on t e under side of the vanes is increased and thereby causes the machine.

to rise, it being manifest that by adjusting the vanes at one side, more or less that at the other sides the machine will be caused to move laterally as it ascends or descends. In the drawings, I have illustrated a general arrangement of aeroplane constructed in accordance with my invention, but no particular pro ortions or sizes ofthe different parts have een specified, since the said proportions and sizes must depend on the amount of wei ht to" be carried and the ca pacity of the lowers, and furthermore, I ave made no special mention of the hanging frame or car for sustaining the operator, the motor or drive mechanism and the devices for controlling the adjustment of the side vanes or wings, as these in practice, are also arranged to suit the size and lifting capacity of the machine, it being understood, owever, that the said pendent or hanging frame is made of the lightest material possible that will stand the required strain.

The 0 posite edges of the discharge mouths of the (ii'ums in which the blowers'operate are curved inwardly as at 3 to form checks for preventing the ends of the blirwer blades into the casing drums, whereby to create the desired chan e of atmospheric equilibrium, the means whereby the air is but partially compressed and isvrestricted in itslateral expansion until it has been directed under its substantially maximum, force rearwardly and against the under side of the tail end of a frame of gradually increasing flexibility.

The air in my form of machine is drawn into the drums in smooth andsteady currents and leaves the drums in a straight rearwardly directed swift current and hence churning of the air is avoided.

It should be again stated that the sides and bottom extensions of the main casing form important elements of my invention, for did the air currents discharge directly from the drums back to atmosphere there would be little or noforward thrust of the machine, but as the air is confined by the said side and bottom extensions in expanding it imparts the desired forward thrust as also the upward pressure, and the flexible top 5 acting somewhat like a birds tail, ma-

terially aids in roviding the proper poise or equilibrium of t e machine.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. In an aeroplane, in combination with a poiser frame having a rear ortion of gradually increasing flexibility; 0 means for drawing airfrom above the frame for creating a partial vacuum above it and directing the air so drawn beneath the under side of the frame and discharging it over the rear end of such frame.

2. In an aero lane, a oiser frame, means mounted at the ont en thereof for drawing the air down throu h the frame and other means on the said ame for partially compressing the air thus drawn and directing it rearwardly beneath the under side of the frame and to discharge over the rear end thereof.

3. In a flying machine of the character described, a poiser frame, a car suspended 'each comprising one or more horizontal planes, a car pendent from the poiser frame, a motor thereon, a horizontal propeller mounted on the poiser frame for drawing air down througlnsaid frame and actuated by the motor, and means for tilting the horizontal planes of the wings in a vertical direction with respect to the poiser frame, as set forth.

5. In an air ship, a main poiser frame, supplemental poiser members that project laterally from the main frame and are supported to tilt in the Vertical direction, said supplemental poiser members being disposed in different horizontal planes and progressively in advance of each other, a car pendent from the main frame, a motor on the car,'a pair of horizontally disposed propellers, rotatable toward each other and mounted on the poiser frame to draw air down through the said frame, said propellers being actuated by the motor and means operable from the car for tilting the supplemental poiser members,'as set forth.

6. In an aeroplane, a poiser frame, a ropeller mounted on the front end thereo for directing the air rearwardly over the poiser frame, means on the poiser frame for drawing the air directly rearward from above to for drawing the rearwardly directed air under the poiser frame.

7. In an aeroplane, the combination with the poiser frame, means for sustaining it in its flight, and the pendent or car frame; of means for guiding the direction of the said oiser frame, comprising wings projected aterally from the poiser frame, conslsting I of one or more horizontal lanes fulcrumed at a point in advance of t eir centers, and means connected to their front ends operable from the car frame for manually holding the front ends of the said planes upwardly, for the purposes specified.

8. In an aeroplane, the combination with the poiser frame, means for sustalmng the said frame in its flight, and the car frame pendent from the poiser frame; of means for guiding the direction of the poiser frame, comprising wings projected laterally from the poiser frame, consisting of a plurality of planes dis osed in different horizontal planes successive r one in advance of the other, said planes each being fulcrumed to tilt in their longitudinal direction, the fulcrums being in advance of their centers and means.

0 erable' from the car frame connected to t 1e front ends of the. several planes and arranged for positively tilting and holding the wing planes with their front ends uppermost, as set forth.

9. In an aeroplane, a poiser frame, comprising a horizontally disposed casing closed at the front, sides, top and bottom, but open at their rear, the top having an opening, a drum located in the casing open at the rear and in line with the top opening, a rotar blower mounted in the casing in line witi the top opening, a motor mechanism suspended on the poiser frame for actuating the blower, the top of the poiser frame having a rearwardly expanded flexible portion, the sides of said frame extending beyond the discharge or open end of the casing aforesaid, for the purposes specified.

10. In an aeroplane, in combination, a

poiser frame having a horizontally dis osed casing in its under side at the forwar end, said frame from the casing rearwardly being of increasing resiliency, the casing being open at the rear whereby to discharge beneath the under side of the resilient portion of the poiser frame, the casing being divided into two compartments of substantially semi-circular shape, each of the said compartments having an axial opening in the top, a centrifugal air propeller mounted in each compartment, a car frame pendent from the poiser frame, a motor on such frame, and drive means that connect the motor with the (propellers for driving said planes mounted to tilt in the longitudinal propellers towar each other for the pnrplane and fulcrumed so their rear ends norposes s ecified. mally hang down'and means connected to 11. air ship, comprising a poiser the front ends of the several Wing planes 15 '5 frame, having a pan of transversely disposed operable from the car for holding the front openings, a car suspended therefrom, a ends of said .planes swung upwardly, as set motor on the car, horizontally disposed cen forth. trifugal blowers located in the poiser frame, FRED I. JUDSON. geared with the motor, and auxiliary poiser ,Witnesses: 10 frames or wings projected from the main M. D. GUTHRIE,

poiser frame, each consisting of one or more F. S. GUTHRm. 

